"In the name of the true sovereign Lord X, we designate him as irregular. He is to be retired for scrap."
The banging of the gavel filled the courtroom as the defendant stood in horror as he was sentenced to a fate that he had never meant to be apart of. He hadn't meant to see those files! He never wished to do anything wrong with that information!
"Designated as irregular!" the sound of Trista Kelverian's voice boomed throughout the courtroom.
To the side of the courtroom, Sage Harpuia had his arms crossed as he watched the trial come to an end. He…hadn't meant to sentence a reploid to death…He had only warned him not to tell anyone about those files…
…Why would Master X…jump to such a conclusion? Was there something he was missing?
"Today's trial concerning irregular security is hereby adjourned."
Copy X stood from his seat and gazed over the court in an authoritative stance, before he would turn and exit the room, walking straight with his hands behind his back.
All four Guardians would turn and slightly bow as Copy X left the room…before returning to their original stances.
Harpuia glanced back towards the stand, where Pantheons were cuffing the defendant and dragging him out of the room…
…Was this…truly necessary?
"What's you're hang up Harpuia?"
Harpuia grunted when he was practically shoved by Fighting Fefnir, who had a wide smirk on his face, only causing Harpuia to scowl.
"Fefnir…"
"You HAVE been rather taken by this particular trial, brother." Fairy Leviathan leaned against her staff and rose her eyebrow. "Anything particular you want to share with the class?"
"...It's nothing." Harpuia crossed his arms. "I just feel like the outcome…could have been different…"
"AH! Welp, now that all the legal stuff is over with, I'm gonna head back." Fefnir walked past Harpuia, shoving him with his shoulder. "Neo Arcadia isn't gonna protect itself!"
Leviathan snickered and turned, following Fefnir out of the room. "Try not to overthink thing, Harpuia." she crooned as she left.
Harpuia glanced over his shoulder, watching his two siblings leave…before looking towards Hidden Phantom, who only gazed back at him evenly.
"...Phantom…what do you make of the sentencing?" Harpuia asked tentatively.
Phantom glanced at the empty stand. "...I have no say in the matter, Harpuia. I am a soldier. Not a jury."
Harpuia turned to face Phantom. "But the sentence…was extreme…It could have ended differently if I hadn't….." He paused and glanced down.
…was this sentence…his fault?
"Harpuia. You did your duty in reporting wrongdoing." Phantom frowned at his brother. "Stepping out of your boundaries may lead you to a similar fate as today's defendant…"
Harpuia was silent as Phantom walked past him.
"...Stay focused, brother…we must continue to serve Neo Arcadia. Master X will ensure the city's safety." Phantom muttered as he too exited the room.
***JG***
Harpuia walked in the garden of the Judges…trying to clear his mind from the overwhelming guilt he was feeling. Having just finished a conversation with the Judges themselves…even they didn't think that any of this was his fault.
Though it had been clear that some of the Judges, particularly Kelverian, had been concerned about Master X's quick sentencing. It had been…strangely rushed.
Kelverian had mentioned…that Master X seemed to have changed since being revived from the elf wars…
At first, Harpuia had wanted to keep any talk against Master X at bay…but the more he thought about it…even he was starting to wonder..
Turning the corner and heading towards the fountains, Harpuia paused when he spotted a young human woman sitting at the edge of one of the fountains. She was holding a notebook in her hands and seemed to be doodling, all while humming a song that…
…sounded eerie…
Straightening up, Harpuia placed his hands behind his back and walked professionally over towards the woman…it wasn't every day one of their citizens came to visit the gardens.
In general, a good portion of the human population stayed far away from the army of reploids that were sworn to protect them…for fear of them turning irregular…
"Good evening miss."
Harpuia approached the woman, a light smile on his face.
The woman stopped doodling and looked up at him with hazel-green eyes…and smiled gently towards him in response.
Her gentle, friendly smile relaxed Harpuia further and he bowed his head respectfully. "I'm grateful to see one of our beloved citizens in our beautiful gardens. What brings you here?"
The woman smiled again and closed her notebook, sliding it into the bag. She then slung the bag over her shoulder and stood, turning to face Harpuia.
The Air-Commander paused, stunned to see that it looked like the woman was about to leave. Had-he said something wrong? He hadn't meant to make her think he didn't want her here!
"Miss-"
Harpuia paused when she looked up at him with her shining eyes…
"...May those who accept their fate find happiness...May those who defy it…find glory…" The woman said slowly in a soft, yet eerie voice, that caused Harpuia to take a small step back.
The Air Commander felt a shiver go down his spine…what…was this woman talking about?
The sound of a flock of birds suddenly taking off caused Harpuia to quickly look over his shoulder…
…but when he looked back…
…the woman was gone.